Automotive door with repositionable immobilizer

ABSTRACT

An automotive vehicle includes one or more swinging doors which may be immobilized in a number of positions, so as to allow the door to be used, for example, to assist passengers in entering and leaving the vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application having Ser. No. 60/944,339 filed on Jun. 15, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hinged vehicle door which may be selectively immobilized in a number of locations ranging from fully open to fully closed.

2. Related Art

Hinged doors are frequently used by vehicle occupants to assist during ingress and egress of the vehicle. In essence, the vehicle door is utilized as a steady rest to enable the vehicle occupant to move himself or herself either into or out of a vehicular space, such as a seat. The present inventors have determined that usage of a vehicular door in this manner would be enhanced by the ability to immobilize the door in mid-swing. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,444, it is known to provide an apparatus which allows the door to be checked in any one of a number of positions, from fully opened to fully closed. However, the system of the '444 patent does not immobilize the door; rather, the system of the '444 patent merely increases the amount of force needed to move the door, while clearly providing that this force may be overridden and the door closed against the action of the door check. This renders the system of the '444 patent inapposite to solution of the present problem, because a door which swings free after the application of an indeterminate amount of force could inhibit the ingress/egress process by starting to swing at an inopportune time.

It would be desirable to provide an automotive door with a repositionable immobilizer permitting the door to be placed in any position and rotationally locked against further movement, so as to resist a reasonably predictable level of force imposed by a motorist using the door to assist in entering or leaving a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle having a swinging door includes a door mechanism with a fixed hinge half attached to a structure such as an A-pillar or hinge pillar. The fixed hinge half has a lower support leg and an upper support leg. A moveable hinge half is secured between the upper and lower support legs. The moveable hinge half has a center section which is attached to the inner panel of the door.

According to another aspect of the present invention a repositionable immobilizer includes a rotor having indexing apertures which may be engaged by a lock pin attached to a linear actuator.

According to another aspect of the invention, a rotor which rotates synchronously with a hinged door is braked to a door-immobilizing state by means of an upper brake pad and a lower brake pad which are positioned adjacent to the rotor, with the upper brake pad being attached to a linear actuator. According to another aspect of the present invention, the linear actuator may be either a solenoid type device or a pneumatic or hydraulic device, or a motor driven device drawn from the various classes of such devices known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a switch attached to a vehicle, either on an interior part such as a door trim panel, or associated with an exterior locking device such as a lock cylinder, or at both locations, is attached to a controller which locks the immobilizer device when the switch is activated. Alternatively, a remote controller embodied in a key fob may be used to trigger immobilization of a door according to an aspect of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a repositionable immobilizer includes a strap which is attached between a hinged door and a stationary structure, such as an A-pillar or B-pillar. The strap may include, in a first embodiment, a number of apertures which are engagable by a lock pin controlled by a linear actuator. Alternatively, the strap may include teeth formed integrally with it and engaged by a plurality of sprags, which are motor driven. As yet another alternative, the strap may be equipped with a piston, with the piston being mounted within a cylinder which is either filled with an electrorheological fluid or with hydraulic fluid. As yet another alternative, the piston may be housed for reciprocating movement within an air cylinder. In the case of an electrorheological system, a voltage is applied to the electrorheological fluid so as to change its viscosity, thereby inhibiting movement of the strap, so as to immobilize the door. In the case of a hydraulic or pneumatic arrangement, the movement of fluid from one side of the piston to the other will be controlled by a valving system operated by a controller, so that the location of the piston and, hence, the location of the door, may be hydraulically or pneumatically locked.

Yet another embodiment according to an aspect of the present invention includes a strap having an elastomeric cover and a structural core, which could be formed from various metallic and nonmetallic materials known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure. In a preferred embodiment, a composite strap has an ovoid section, which matches an ovoid section of a rotatable nut, which is itself attached to, for example, an A-pillar, or a B-pillar, or a door, so that as the door moves from its open to closed position and vice versa, the strap passes through the nut. The nut is partially threaded so that its rotational position with respect to the strap causes the strap to either be inhibited by the threads or to move freely as the door swings. With this arrangement, the nut may be positioned so as to lock the movement of the strap, thereby immobilizing the door.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a pair of cams is attached to the door so that the position of the cams, as determined by a tension spring and a linear actuator, allow a strap, or a rod functioning as a strap, to either move freely through the cams so as to thereby allow the door to move, or to tightly grip the rod, so as to lock, or immobilize, the door in a selected position.

It is an advantage of a system according to the present invention that a vehicle door may be selectively immobilized at the discretion of the vehicle's driver merely by triggering a switch mounted to the door trim panel or upon a key fob or upon an outside surface or mechanism of the vehicle, such as a lock cylinder.

It is yet another advantage of a system according to the present invention that a vehicle door may be immobilized without the need for extensive additional hardware, and without the need for repackaging the door hinge assemblies.

Other advantages, as well as features of the present invention, will become apparent to the reader of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a partial block diagram showing component parts of a door system according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, partially in elevation, of a portion of a door having a repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention. FIG. 2 is taken in the direction of the arrows labeled ‘2’ in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but shows the repositionable immobilizer of FIG. 2 in a locked position.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, but shows a second embodiment of a repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a linear repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but shows the immobilizer of FIG. 5 in a locked position.

FIG. 7 shows another type of linear repositionable immobilizer, according to an aspect of the present invention, in an unlocked position.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, but shows the repositionable immobilizer of FIG. 7 in a locked position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a friction type of linear repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a repositionable immobilizer having a cam-type locking device according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A-11D show the selective locking, or immobilizing, action of the cam-type device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a linear type of repositionable immobilizer having a sprag mechanism according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a repositionable immobilizer, according to an aspect of the present invention, having a fluid operating system.

FIG. 14 illustrates a fluid operating system according to FIG. 13, and employing electrorheological fluid.

FIG. 15 illustrates a fluid operating system according to FIG. 13, and employing hydraulic fluid.

FIG. 16 illustrates a multiple locking cam mechanism for use with an embodiment of a repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cam member included in the mechanism of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an elevational view, partially in section of a repositionable immobilizer according to FIG. 16, taken along the line 18-18 of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 10 has a swinging door, 14, which is equipped with a repositionable immobilizer according to the present invention. FIG. 1A shows an interior trim panel, 94, which is mounted upon an inner surface of door 14. Trim panel 94 provides a mounting surface for a manual switch, 98, which is operatively connected with a controller, 102. Controller 102, which may be configured as either a microprocessor controller, or a programmable logic controller, or other type of controller known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure, operates immobilizer 106 to fix the door position at a point selected by the vehicle's passenger. Added control capability may be achieved by incorporating a door immobilization function within a key switch, 103, incorporated in an outer surface of door 14. Such switch may be combined, for example, with a door lock cylinder. Switch 103 may be configured as either a conventional key switch or as a touch pad key switch. Thus, as used herein, the term “key switch” refers to either configuration.

Moving now to FIG. 2, door 14 is shown as being hinged to an A-pillar, 22, of vehicle 10 by means of a hinge having a fixed hinge half, 18, with a base, 20, to which two support legs, namely upper support leg, 30, and lower support leg, 26, are attached. Fixed hinge half 18 may be mounted to A-pillar 22 by means of welding or by threaded fasteners or by adhesives, by any one or any combination of commonly known fastening methods.

A repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention further includes a moveable hinge half, 34, having a center section, 36, which is bored or cored for a hinge pin, 40. Moveable hinge half 34 is attached to door inner panel 42 by means of cap screws, 38, it being understood that, alternatively, moveable hinge half 34 may be attached to door inner panel 42 by means of welding, adhesives, and other types of fastening methods known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure.

A rotor, 46, is attached to hinge pin 40, as well as to center section 36 of moveable hinge half 34. Rotor 46 has a plurality of indexing apertures, 50, formed therein. Apertures 50 are engagable by a lock pin, 58, which is mounted to a linear actuator, 54. As shown in FIG. 1A, linear actuator 54 is controlled by means of switch 98, which sends a signal to controller 102, which in turn operates immobilizer 106, which includes actuator 54. Those skilled in the art will appreciate in view of this disclosure that linear actuator 54, as well as linear actuator 118, and yet other linear actuators disclosed herein, may be configured as either solenoid actuators, or fluid power actuators, typically pneumatic or hydraulic, or electro-drive actuators, or other types of actuators suggested by this disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows lock pin 58 in an engaged position with one of apertures 50, so as to effectively immobilize door 14 and thereby prevent door 14 from swinging. When switch 98 is placed in a released position, linear actuator 54 will withdraw lock pin 58 from one of apertures 50, allowing door 14 to swing. Those skilled in the art will appreciate in view of this disclosure that apertures 50 may be engaged by using linear actuator 54 to preload lock pin 58 into the upper surface 46 a of rotor 46, such that locking pin 58 engages the desired one of apertures 50 when rotor 46 has been positioned by door 14 so as to be indexed with lock pin 58.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a repositionable immobilizer according to the present invention in which upper brake pad 64 and lower brake pad 72 engage rotor 46. The mounting of lower brake pad 72 is facilitated by bracket 68, which is itself mounted to bracket 52. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bracket 52 generally allows the mounting of linear actuator 54 upon upper support leg 30 of fixed hinge half 18.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, when controller 102 receives a locking signal from a line attached to switch 98, linear actuator 54 will press brake pad 64 into contact with rotor 46 and, because rotor 46 is a sliding fit upon hinge pin 40, the force of linear actuator 54 will cause both sides of rotor 46 to be squeezed by brake pads 64 and 72, thereby immobilizing door 14.

FIG. 5 illustrates a linear immobilization device in which a strap, 110, is attached by means of a pivot, 126, to a structure, 106, of vehicle 10. Structure 106 may be either an A-pillar, or a B-pillar, or yet another structure having sufficient strength and rigidity to support proper functioning of the immobilization device. Strap 110 is normally free to move into and out of the interior of door 14. Linear actuator 118 is mounted by means of bracket 120 to door inner panel 130. Strap 110 contains a number of apertures, 114, which are engagable by a lock pin, 122, driven selectively by linear actuator 118.

FIG. 6 illustrates lock pin 122 in its driven, or locked, position, immobilizing door 14. Lock pin 122 will remain in its locked position until controller 102 provides an appropriate signal to linear actuator 118.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment, according to an aspect of the present invention, in which a strap, 142, has a plurality of teeth, 146, which are engagable by a sprag, 138, carried upon the plunger of a linear actuator, 118. When sprag 138 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 7, door 14 is free to move.

FIG. 8 shows sprag 138 in an engaged position, which immobilizes door 14.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment, according to an aspect of the present invention, in which a linear actuator, 118, applies a friction pad, 154, which is mounted to a plunger, 153, carried within linear actuator 118. Friction pad 154, as well as a second friction pad, 158, which is mounted to solenoid bracket 120 by bracket 162, are applied selectively to strap 150 so as to effectively pinch strap 150 between the two friction pads, selectively preventing motion of door 14. Strap 150 is constructed with sufficient compliance to accommodate wear of friction pads 154 and 158.

FIGS. 10 and 11A-11D illustrate an aspect according to the present invention in which a strap, 166, has a structural core, 170, with an elastomeric cover, 174. Core 170 may be formed from various metallic or nonmetallic or composite materials known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure. Cover 174 is shown in FIGS. 11A-11D as having an ovoid shape, which cooperates with a rotationally lockable nut, 178, to control movement of door 14. As shown in FIG. 10, nut 178 is rotationally positioned by means of a linear actuator, 182. Nut 178 abuts door inner panel 130 such that door 14 is free to move with respect to structure 106 only if nut 178 is unlocked from strap 166. As shown in FIGS. 11A-11D, nut 178 is mounted to door inner panel 130 by means of a retainer, 179, which is itself maintained in contact with inner panel 130 by means of fasteners 181. Retainer 179 permits nut 178 to rotate with respect to both strap 166 and inner panel 130, while preventing nut 178 from moving axially with respect to panel 130. Structure 106 may comprise either an A-pillar or B-pillar, or another structure having similar performance characteristics. Alternatively, nut 178 could be positioned on structure 106, thereby allowing strap 166 to pass into and out of structure 106.

When nut 178 has been positioned by actuator 182 in the rotational position illustrated in FIG. 11A, strap 166 is free to move through nut 178 without hindrance, it being observable from FIG. 11A that the ovoid inner diameter of nut 178 is matched, or indexed, with the ovoid outer diameter of cover 174. When, however, nut 178 has been positioned as shown in FIG. 11B, a number of serrations, or teeth, 190, impinge lightly upon elastomeric cover 174, with the result that the movement of strap 166 through nut 178 will be slightly inhibited. When, however, nut 178 has been rotated to the position shown in FIG. 11C, serrations 190 begin to impinge significantly upon elastomeric cover 174, with the result that movement of door 14 will be greatly inhibited. Finally, when nut 178 is positioned as shown in FIG. 11D, movement of door 14 will be effectively prohibited because serrations 190 will be heavily locked into cover 174 of strap 166. In other words, serrations, or teeth, 190 are configured to lock nut 178 upon strap 166 to varying degrees characterizing the several rotational positions at which said teeth project, to a greater or lesser extent, into elastomeric cover 174.

FIG. 12 illustrates an aspect of the present invention in which strap 194, having an end, 194 a, attached by pin 126 to an A-pillar, a B-pillar, or other structure shown at 106, has a number of serrations, 198, formed thereupon. A pair of pawls, 202, which are position-controlled by motors, 206, engage serrations 198 so as to immobilize strap 194 and, hence, door 14 at any selected position. Motors 206 are operated by controller 102, as previously explained.

FIG. 13 illustrates an aspect according to the present invention, in which a strap, 210, is position-controlled by means of a fluidic device, 221, mounted within door 14 upon the reverse side of panel 130. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, device 221 includes a piston, 214, contained upon an end of strap 210 mounted within a cylinder, 224, containing electrorheological fluid, 226. Linear electrodes 218 and 222 are connected with controller 102, which imposes a voltage across electrodes 218 and 222, thereby controlling the viscosity of electrorheological fluid 226, so as to selectively impede the movement of piston 214 through cylinder 224, while impeding the swinging motion of door 14.

FIG. 15 illustrates an aspect according to the present invention, in which strap 210 is equipped with a piston, 234, which is mounted for reciprocation within a cylinder, 238, which is filled with hydraulic fluid. The flow of hydraulic fluid from the spaces on either side of piston 234 is controlled by a valve, 250, which is operated by controller 102 so as to control the flow of fluid through ports 246. In this manner, strap 210 and, therefore, door 14, may be locked in place. A fluid accumulator (not shown), accommodates the volume differential occasioned by the presence of strap 210 within cylinder 238.

FIG. 16 illustrates a multiple locking cam mechanism for use with an embodiment of a repositionable immobilizer according to an aspect of the present invention. Bracket 277, which is mounted to door inner panel 130, contains two generally similar, but opposing, cam members, 254, which control the sliding action of strap or rod 270. FIG. 17 illustrates one of cam members 254. Each of cam members 254 has a pair of hinge members, 262, and a spring retainer, 266. Each of cams 254 further has an ovoid aperture, 258, through which strap 270 extends. Movement of strap 270 through apertures 258 is inhibited when cams 254 are rocked over to positions in which the portions of cams 254 surrounding apertures 258 bear upon, and thereby grip, strap 270.

As shown in FIG. 18, tension spring 274 pulls the lower portions of cams 254 to a normally released position. However, on receipt of a signal from controller 102, linear actuator 278 will pull the upper portions of cams 254 together, against the force of spring 274, into a position in which rod 270 is effectively immobilized against sliding movement. This causes door 14 to also become immobilized until linear actuator 278 is moved to a position in which cams 254 have released rod 270. As employed in this embodiment, linear actuator 278 may include, for example, an electrodrive ball screw driven by a stepper motor, or another type actuator known to those skilled in the art and suggested by this disclosure.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly the scope of legal protection afforded the invention can only be determined by studying the following claims. 

1. An automotive door comprising: a door hinged to a vehicle body, so as to permit ingress and egress of the vehicle; and a door immobilizer positioned between the door and the body of a vehicle, with said immobilizer comprising: a first member which moves relative to said door when said door is moved rotationally; and a second member for permitting an occupant of the vehicle to selectively inhibit rotational movement of the door by inhibiting relative movement of said first member with respect to said door.
 2. An automotive door according to claim 1, further comprising a controller for operating said second member.
 3. An automotive door according to claim 2, wherein said controller is further responsive to a key switch mounted upon an exterior surface of the door.
 4. An automotive door according to claim 1, wherein said second member is attached to the body of the vehicle.
 5. An automotive door according to claim 1, wherein said second member is attached to the door.
 6. An automotive door according to claim 1, wherein said first member moves linearly with respect to said door when said door is moved rotationally.
 7. An automotive door according to claim 1, wherein said first member moves rotationally with respect to said door when said door is moved rotationally.
 8. An automotive door according to claim 6, wherein said first member comprises a strap having a plurality of apertures, and said second member comprises a lock pin, driven selectively by a linear actuator, for engaging said apertures.
 9. An automotive door according to claim 8, wherein said linear actuator comprises a solenoid.
 10. An automotive door according to claim 8, wherein said linear actuator comprises a pneumatic cylinder.
 11. An automotive door according to claim 6, wherein said first member comprises a strap having a plurality of teeth which are engagable by a second member comprising a sprag driven selectively by a linear actuator, with said sprag and actuator being attached to said door.
 12. An automotive door according to claim 6, wherein said first member comprises a strap which is selectively pinched between friction pads applied by a linear actuator.
 13. An automotive door according to claim 6, wherein said first member comprises a strap having a structural core and an elastomeric cover, with said second member comprising a rotationally lockable nut operationally connected with said door, so that rotation of the door is accompanied by sliding of the strap through the nut, with said nut being rotatable to a position in which sliding of the strap through the nut is inhibited by the nut.
 14. An automotive door according to claim 13, wherein said nut and said strap have mating non-circular cross sections.
 15. An automotive door according to claim 13, wherein said nut has a non-circular, toothed bore which is configured to slide selectively upon a mating non-circular surface of said strap when said nut is indexed with said strap, with said teeth being configured to lock said nut upon said strap when said nut has been rotated to a position at which said teeth project into said elastomeric cover.
 16. An automotive door according to claim 13, wherein said nut has a non-circular, toothed bore which is configured to slide selectively upon a mating non-circular surface of said strap when said nut is indexed with said strap, with said teeth being configured to lock said nut upon said strap to varying degrees characterizing a plurality of positions at which said teeth project into said elastomeric cover.
 17. An automotive door according to claim 6, wherein said first member comprises a strap having a plurality of teeth which are engagable by a second member comprising a plurality of sprags driven selectively by a rotary actuators, with said sprags and actuators being attached to said door.
 18. An automotive door according to claim 6, wherein said first member comprises a strap which is position-controlled by a second member comprising a fluidic device mounted within said door and having a piston contained upon an end of the strap and mounted for reciprocation within a cylinder containing electrorheological fluid and electrodes connected with a controller for applying an electric potential across said electrodes, whereby the viscosity of the electrorheological fluid may be increased selectively, impeding the swinging motion of door
 14. 19. An automotive door according to claim 6, wherein said first member comprises a strap which is position-controlled by a second member comprising a fluidic device mounted within said door and having a piston contained upon an end of the strap and mounted for reciprocation within a cylinder containing hydraulic fluid, with the flow of hydraulic fluid from spaces extending within the cylinder on either side of the piston being controlled by a valve, whereby swinging motion of door 14 may be controlled selectively by operating said valve.
 20. An automotive door according to claim 6, wherein said first member comprises a strap which is position-controlled by a second member comprising opposing cam members positioned by a linear actuator, with said cam members and said linear actuator being mounted upon said door.
 21. An automotive door comprising: a door hinged to a vehicle body, so as to permit ingress and egress of the vehicle; and a door immobilizer positioned between the door and the body of a vehicle, with said immobilizer comprising: a first member which is moved rotationally by said door when said door is moved rotationally; and a second member, attached to the body of the vehicle, for selectively inhibiting rotational motion of said first member.
 22. An automotive door according to claim 21, wherein said first member comprises a brake rotor attached for synchronous rotation with said door, with said second member comprising a braking device for selectively inhibiting rotation of said rotor.
 23. An automotive door according to claim 22, wherein said second member comprises a locking pin for engaging a plurality of apertures formed in said brake rotor, with said locking pin being mounted to a linear actuator.
 24. An automotive door according to claim 22, wherein said second member comprises a lock pin for engaging a plurality of apertures formed in said brake rotor, with said lock pin being mounted to a linear actuator.
 25. An automotive door according to claim 22, wherein said second member comprises a plurality of brake pads operated by a linear actuator.
 26. An automotive door according to claim 22, further comprising a controller for operating said second member.
 27. An automotive door according to claim 22, wherein said controller is further responsive to a key switch mounted upon an exterior surface of a vehicle. 